Israel and Egypt may undertake a joint solar-energy project in Egypt’s Sinai Desert, according to Israel’s Industry and Trade Minister, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer. Speaking at the International Renewable Energy Conference being held this week in the Israeli coastal city of Eilat, Ben-Eliezer noted that the joint effort would yield electricity for both countries. “In our discussions with President Mubarak [of Egypt], he expressed much interest in the idea and we will be working together with Egyptian government representatives to advance the idea,” he said.

With clear skies, Egypt’s Sinai Desert receives lots of annual sunshine: insolation averages 2,300 kWh per square meter. Ben-Eliezer added, “Egypt has the requisite space and Israel would contribute technological know-how.”

View of the Red Sea

Also at the conference in Eilat, the director of the Bio-Fuels Division of Jordan’s National Energy Research Center, Salah Azzam, outlined plans for the creation of a Jordanian-Israeli bio-diesel plant by the end of this year. “This project could serve as a great boost for establishing peace and security in the region and could promote peace efforts between Israel and its neighbors,” Azzam said. Jordan last month overhauled its national renewable energy laws to encourage the development of solar power, wind and other types of renewable energy projects.

Beyond biofuels, Israel and Jordan have worked to coordinate on other environment-related issues. Top on the list is the proposed Two-Seas Canal, a project that could, for a pretty penny, link the Dead Sea to the Red Sea and bring the following benefits: slow the Dead Sea’s rate of shrinking; generate hydropower for Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority; and power desalination plants, providing fresh water for the region’s inhabitants. The joint proposal has stalled on concerns over the canal’s cost and potential environmental impacts.